Criminal Justice and Corrections at Minnesota North College

At first glance, Minnesota North College's criminal justice certificate looks impressive—graduates earn $59,186 a year out, beating three-quarters of similar programs nationwide. But that small sample size warning matters here. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a few outliers could skew the picture dramatically. The debt load of $25,125 is substantial for a certificate program, sitting at Minnesota's median but well above the national typical cost of $13,355. Still, the 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates can manage repayment if those earnings hold up.

The real question is sustainability. Among Minnesota programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile—solid but not exceptional. Rasmussen University graduates earn $8,000 more annually, which compounds significantly over a career. For families in the Iron Range area where Minnesota North is located, the proximity advantage may justify choosing this program over competitors in the Twin Cities. However, if your child has the flexibility to attend elsewhere, the higher debt for middle-of-the-pack Minnesota earnings deserves scrutiny.

The takeaway: These numbers suggest potential value, but verify them directly with the school. Ask about recent graduate outcomes and whether the small cohort reflects typical results or an anomaly year. If the earnings prove reliable, you're looking at manageable debt for decent entry-level pay in criminal justice.